Stocking systems



Dec. 28, 1965 A. REIMBERT sTocKING SYSTEMS 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed April 28, 1964 Dec. 28, 1965 A. REIMBERT 3,225,944

s'rocxme SYSTEMS Filed April 28, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /0 um fur /yndd @am efl- United States Patent O 3 claims. (Cl. 214-17) The present invention is concerned with stocking systems of the type designed for receiving granular pulverulent or like products or materials. It relates more particularly to stocking systems consisting of a silo incorporating a perforated tube called anti-dynamic discharge tube serving the purpose of discharging the siloed inaterials by commencing with the upper layers thereof.

In fact, this discharge tube extends vertically within the silo, for example along one of the walls thereof, and comprises throughout its height a large number of orifices having well-defined dimensions through which the upper layers of the siloed material which are not subjected to a pressure can flow freely. On the other hand the lower strata of material cannot flow through these orifices as long as the tube is filled with material, due to the resistant pressure thus exerted by the material present in the tube on the material tending to enter the tube through these orifices. The lower end of this discharge tube is connected to the discharge orifice provided in the lower boot of the silo.

Due to the fact that a discharge tube of the type set forth hereinabove is adapted to discharge the siloed material from the upper strata thereof, the silo walls are not subjected to the stress which would arise if the complete siloed mass of material were moved simultaneously, as would occur if the material were discharged only through the bottom of the silo, silos equipped with a discharge tube of this character are, therefore, characterized by considerable advantages over other conventional silos.

However, in silo equipped with a perforated discharge tube of the so-called anti-dynamic type the various strata or fractions of siloed material are discharged in the reverse order, compared with the order in Which they were introduced. Under these conditions, if the material is introduced by successive fractions at different time periods these various fractions are not stocked during the same time period since the first strata to be discharged are the upper strata introduced last. Now this may prove detrimental to the proper preservation of the siloed materials or products, notably in the case of many products of vegetable origin.

In view of the foregoing it is the essential object of this invention to permit the preservation of the advantageous features characterizing silos equipped with perforated discharge tubes while eliminating the inconvenience set forth hereinabove.

To this end, the present invention provides a stocking system comprising a silo of the type set forth which is designed with a view to permit the discharge of the siloed materials or products in the same order as that in which they were introduced.

To this end, this invention provides a stocking system for granular, pulverulent or other similar products or materials, which comprises a silo adapted to receive the materials to be stocked, this silo comprising at its bottom a discharge orifice, the discharge tube which extends along the whole height of the silo and is formed throughout its length with perforations opening into said discharge orifice, characterized in that this first silo is combined with a second similar silo comprising likewise a perforated discharge tube extending throughout its height and leading into a discharge orifice, duct means being provided between the two silos, for example in the form of a pipe Patented Dec. 28, 1965 "Ice incorporating a conveyor or other similar device, adapted to direct the materials flowing from said first silo into the upper portion of said second silo, a pair of retractable shutters being provided for closing the discharge orifice of each silo.

In a preferred form of embodiment of the stocking systern according to this invention the second silo is diS- posed under the first silo of the system and the discharge orifice of the first silo opens into the upper space of the second silo.

The attached drawings illustrate diagrammatically, by way of example, a few forms of embodiment of the stocking system according to this invention.

In the drawings:

FIGURE l is an axial section showing a first form of embodiment of this system;

FIGURES 2 and 3 are axial sections showing two other forms of embodiment; and

FIGURES 4 and 5 are an axial section and a horizontal section respectively of another form of embodiment.

The stocking system illustrated in FIGURE l consists of the combination of two similar silos 1, 2 disposed side by side. Each silo is provided at its lower portion with a boot 3, 4 having a bottom discharge orifice 5, 6.

Moreover, each silo 1, 2 encloses a discharge tube 7, 8 extending vertically along the greater part or the whole of the height of the relevant silo.

This discharge tube is shown as being juxtaposed to the inner wall of the corresponding silo, but if desired it may be located otherwise within the silo.

Each discharge tube 7, 8 comprises a plurality of perforations 9 disposed at spaced intervals throughout its length. These perforations are adapted to permit the passage of the particles of product stocked in the silo 1 or 2.

The inner space of each discharge tube 7, 8 is connected to the corresponding discharge orifice 5, 6 through an inclined connecting tube 10, 11. The lower end of this connecting tube leads into the bottom of the boot 3, 4 of the corresponding silo to within a short distance from the discharge orifice 5, 6. However, a gap 12 is left between the lower end of each connecting tube 10, 11 and the opposite wall of the boot 3, 4. This gap is intended to permit the complete discharge of the relevant silo. Nevertheless, this gap is small enough to prevent the siloed materials from flowing through it during the initial period of the discharge process which may, therefore, commence through the perforations 9 of the discharge tube 7, 8 by starting from the upper layers of the siloed materials.

A retractable shutter 13, 14 overlies the discharge orifice of each silo 1, 2. The discharge orifice 5 of the first silo is connected to a pipe or duct 15 forming firstly a knee and extending subsequently upwards. The upper end 15a of this duct is bent the other way and opens into the space overlying the second silo 2.

In the duct 15, means adapted to transport the materials received from the outlet of the first silo 1 upwards, i.e. in the direction of the arrow F, are provided in order to deliver these materials through the upper end 15a of the duct into the second silo 2.

Said conveyor means provided within the duct 15 may consist of a pneumatic device 16 adapted to suck in and force out the materials to be circulated therethrough. However, these conveyor means may differ from this example and consist for example of a blade conveyor disposed within the duct 15.

A typical method of utilizing this stocking system may be as follows: I

Firstly, the first silo 1 is filled from the top, the bottom boot orifice 5 being closed. Thus, the silo filling operation may be effected in one run or by successive fractions at different times.

When the first silo 1 is full, the operator opens the shutter 13 of its discharge orifice. However, due to the presence of the perforated discharge tube 7, the siloed material 17 filling this silo is so discharged as to allow the upper strata to flow firstly through the perforations 9 of tube 7, then through this discharge tube proper. The corresponding fraction of material will fiow through the discharge orifice 5 and enter the duct 15. The conveyor means provided therein will then direct the material into the second silo of which the shutter 14 is of course closed.

Thus, the layers of granular, pulverulent or like materials which were stocked in the upper portion of the first silo 1 are now transferred to the bottom of the second silo 2. Then as the discharge of the first silo 1 continues, the layers of materials which remain in the bottom of this silo are discharged last and overlie the layers of materials discharged beforehand, to constitute the upper strata of material filling the second silo 2. Under these conditions, the relative arrangement of the layers of materials is reversed within said second silo in relation to the arrangement obtained beforehand in the first silo 1.

Finally, to complete the discharge of the stocking system of this invention, the operator simply opens the shutter 14 of the second silo 2. Due to the presence of the perforated discharge tube 8, the layers of materials disposed in the upper portion of the second silo are discharged first. Now these layers actually correspond to the fractions of materials which had been introduced first into the system and constituted the lower strata of materials in the first silo 1. Under these conditions, the final order in which the various layers of materials are discharged from the system corresponds to the order in which they were introduced initially, this result being obtained by virtue of the two successive discharge operations effected with the materials, whereby the relative order of the fractions of siloed materials is reversed twice.

Under these conditions, if the siloed materials have been introduced by successive fractions, in a given order and at different times, these various fractions will eventually be discharged in the same order. Thus, if the discharge is also effected in several steps at different times, the fractions introduced last are not liable to remain in the system for a time period shorter than those introduced first.

Of course, when the content of the first silo 1 has been transferred to the second silo 2, the first silo may again be filled with materials to take advantage of the maximum stocking capacity of the system.

However, the stocking system of this invention should not be construed as being limited by the specific form of embodiment described hereinabove.

On the other hand, in the preferred forms of embodiment of this system the two silos are so disposed that the siloed materials can be transferred from one to the other silo without resorting to mechanical transport or transfer means.

FIGURE 2 illustrates a typical form of embodiment of this character. In this arrangement the two silos constituting the stocking system have the same structure as in the preceding form of embodiment illustrated in FIG- URE l and their various component elements are designated by the same reference numerals in the drawings, with the addition of the letter a.

This alternate form of embodiment is characterized in that the second silo 2a of the system is located beneath the first silo 1a. Connected to the discharge orifice 5a of the first silo 1a is a short discharge duct 15a opening into the upper portion of the second silo 2a. Of course, a retractable shutter 13a is mounted across the discharge orifice 5a of the first silo la. Another retractable shutter 14a is disposed under the discharge orifice 6a of the second silo 2a.

As already explained hereinabove, the two silos 1a and 2a have the same structure as the silos 1 and 2 of the arrangement shown in FIGURE 1. Therefore, they comprise each a vertical perforated discharge tube 7a, 8a connected through a connecting tube 10a, 11a to the corresponding discharge orifice 5a, 6a.

The method of operating a stocking system according to the form of embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 2 is substantially the same as in the case of the system shown in FIGURE l. In fact, the first silo 1a is filled first from the top, its shutter 13a being closed, and when this first silo is full the shutter 13a is opened and the first silo is discharged by commencing with the upper layers of the materials stored therein due to the presence of the perforated discharge tube 7a. The corresponding fraction of material will then flow through the discharge orifice 5a and fall directly onto the bottom of the second silo 2a, by simple gravity. Thus, the layers of materials which were before in the upper portion of the first silo 1a are now brought into the lower portion of the second silo 2a. Then as the discharge of the first silo is continued, the layers of materials which are in the bottom of this first silo are discharged last and fill the upper portion of the second silo 2a.

As in the preceding case, in the second silo, the relative arrangement of the successive layers of materials is reversed. During the final discharge of the system by opening the shutter 14a, the uppermost layers of materials in the second silo are discharged first.

To sum up, the final order of discharge of this material corresponds to the order in which the materials are introduced into the system.

FIGURE 3 illustrates a modified form of embodiment of the preceding arrangement wherein the walls of the two superposed silos 1b and 2b constitute a single enclosure 18 whereby these two silos correspond to two superposed compartments of this enclosure. However, the other features of the structure of these two silos are exactly the same as in the preceding case. These two silos incorporate the same component elements designated by the same reference numerals completed by the letter b.

The results obtained with the stocking system shown in FIGURE 3 are, therefore, exactly the same as those obtained with the system shown in FIGURE 2.

FIGURES 4 and 5 illustrate another form of embodiment of this invention wherein the two silos 1c and 2c consist likewise of two superposed compartments of a common or single enclosure 18C. However, in this alternate arrangement the upper silo 1c comprises in its bottom two discharge boots 3c and 3d each formed with a discharge orifice 5c, 5d. This silo has mounted therein a Vertical perforated discharge tube 7c. The lower end of this tube is connected by a pair of tubes 10c and 10d to the two discharge orifices 5a and 5d respectively.

However, it is clear that the silo 1c may comprise two perforated discharge tubes similar to the discharge t-ubes 7c and leading each into one of the discharge orifice 5c and 5d.

The second silo 2c underlying the first silo 1c may also comprise if desired two boots each provided with a discharge orifice. This Silo may enclose one or two discharge tubes leading to said orifices.

The operation of this stocking system is obviously the Same as that of the arrangement described in the two preceding forms of embodiment. It is also obvious that the silos of this system may comprise more than two boots. These boots may incorporate a plurality of discharge tubes disposed centrally or eccentrically, the silos comprising either a plurality of perforated discharge tubes or a single tube leading to the different boots.

In the case of silos having a single discharge boot, it

is also possible to provide within each silo a plurality of discharge tubes leading to the single discharge orifice of the boot, these discharge tubes leading from points located at different levels in each silo. The discharge will thus take place successively through these various tubes.

On the other hand, it is not necessary that the superposed silos be disposed co-axially. Finally, the number of superposed silos (as in the form of embodiment shown in FIGURES 2 to 5) or interconnected silos (as in the form of embodiment shown in FIGURE l) is not limited to two, for the system may comprise a greater number of silos, provided that it is an even number.

What I claim is:

1. A system for stocking granular, pulverulent and like products, comprising in combination a rst silo and a second silo, a discharge orice at the bottom of each silo, a discharge tube extending within each silo substantially throughout the height of the corresponding silo and leading into the discharge orice of the corresponding silo, perforations disposed along the height of the discharge tube of each silo, the dimensions of said perforations being calculated to permit the passage of the stocked product and in such a manner that during discharge of material from the respective silo, only the uppermost portion of the material located at yany instant in the silo will move therein to be discharged therefrom, a retractable shutter associated With the discharge orifice of each silo, and duct means disposed beneath the discharge orifice of said iirst silo and adapted to receive the materials discharged from said irst silo and to transfer them into the upper portion of said second silo, the upper end of said discharge tube in said second silo being constructed and arranged with respect to said duct means so that material discharged from the latter can pass into said upper end only after said second silo is substantially lled, whereby material fed rst into said first silo will be discharged first from said second silo.

2. A system for stocking granular, pulverulent and like products, comprising in combination a rst silo and a second silo disposed under said first silo, a discharge orifice at the bottom of each silo, a discharge tube extending within each silo substantially throughout the height of the corresponding silo and leading into the discharge orice of the corresponding silo, perforations disposed along the height of the discharge tube of each silo, the dimensions of said perforations being calculated to permit the passage of the stocked product and in such a manner that during discharge of material from the respective silo, only the uppermost portion of the material located at any instant in the silo will move therein to be discharged therefrom, a retractable shutter associated with the discharge orifice of each silo, the discharge orifice of said rst silo overlying the upper space of said second silo, the upper end of said discharge tube in said second silo being constructed and arranged with respect to the discharge opening of said rst silo so that material discharged from the latter can pass into said upper end only after said second silo is substantially filled, whereby material fed rst into said rst silo will be discharged rst from said second silo.

3. A system for stocking granular, pulverulent and like products, comprising in combination a rst silo and a second silo disposed under said first silo, a discharge boot in the lower portion of each silo, a discharge tube extending vertically within each silo substantially throughout the height of the corresponding silo, a connecting tube extending from each discharge tube to the bottom of the boot of the relevant silo, said connecting tube extending to within a short distance of the discharge orifice of said boot, perforations formed through the wall of the discharge tube of each silo throughout the height thereof to permit the passage of the stocked product and in such a manner that during discharge of material from the respective silo, only the uppermost portion of the material located at any instant in the silo will move therein to be discharged therefrom, a retractable shutter associated with the orifice of the discharge boot of each Silo, the orice of the discharge boot of said rst silo overlying the upper space of said second silo, the upper end of said discharge tube in said second silo being constructed and arranged with respect to the discharge opening of said first silo so that material discharged from the latter can pass into said upper end only after said second silo is substantially tilled, whereby material fed first into said rst Silo will be discharged rst from said second silo.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,761,575 9/1956 Visconty. 2,801,966 8/1957 Mertes et al.

FOREIGN PATENTS 477,842 10/1951 Canada.

GERALD M. FORLENZA, Primary Examiner.

HUGO O. SCHULZ, Examiner. 

1. A SYSTEM FOR STOCKING GRANULAR, PULVERULENT AND LIKE PRODUCTS, COMPRISING IN COMBINATION A FIRST SILO AND A SECOND SILO, A DISCHARGE ORIFICE AT THE BOTTOM OF EACH SILO, A DISCHARGE TUBE EXTENDING WITHIN EACH SILO SUBSTANTIALLY THROUGHOUT THE HEIGHT OF THE CORRESPONDING SILO AND LEADING INTO THE DISCHARGE ORIFICE OF THE CORRESPONDING SILO, PERFORATIONS DISPOSED ALONG THE HEIGHT OF THE DISCHARGE TUBE OF EACH SILO, THE DIMENSIONS OF SAID PERFORATIONS BEING CALCULATED TO PERMIT THE PASSAGE OF THE STOCKED PRODUCT AND IN SUCH A MANNER THAT DURING DISCHARGE OF MATERIAL FROM THE RESPECTIVE SILO, ONLY THE UPPERMOST PORTION OF THE MATERIAL LOCATED AT ANY INSTANT IN THE SILO WILL MOVE THEREIN TO BE DISCHARGED THEREFROM, A RETRACTABLE SHUTTER ASSOCIATED WITH THE DISCHARGE ORIFICE OF EACH SILO, AND DUCT MEANS DISPOSED BENEATH THE DISCHARGE ORIFICE OF SAID FIRST SILO AND ADAPTED TO RECEIVE THE MATERIALS DISCHARGED FROM SAID FIRST SILO AND TO TRANSFER THEM INTO THE UPPER PORTION OF SAID SECOND SILO, THE UPPER END OF SAID DISCHARGE TUBE IN SAID SECOND SILO BEING CONSTRUCTED AND ARRANGED WITH RESPECT TO SAID DUCT MEANS SO THAT MATERIAL DISCHARGED FROM THE LATTER CAN PASS INTO SAID UPPER END ONLY AFTER SAID SECOND SILO IS SUBSTANTIALLY FILLED, WHEREBY MATERIAL FED FIRST INTO SAID FIRST SILO WILL BE DISCHARGED FIRST FROM SAID SECOND SILO. 